The Old Folks Home

[dsqard]

In the mean time, do you have ether? A can with a lid and a rag soaked in ether works pretty good to cull. So sorry this happened to you

 

[ronott1]

In the mean time, do you have ether? A can with a lid and a rag soaked in ether works pretty good to cull. So sorry this happened to you

Deformities like missing beaks are def not incubation related.

A pair of scissors and a paper towel is quick and painless for the chick. With the paper towel you do not have to see it either.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Deformities like missing beaks are def not incubation related.

A pair of scissors and a paper towel is quick and painless for the chick. With the paper towel you do not have to see it either.

Thanks for the support. I figured these issues were chromosomal, but I'm emotional right now and trying to figure out what went wrong.

I've had to cull chicks before, and I really appreciate the advice. First time I did it, years ago, I did it with a hatchet and it was the most horrifying thing to do. It's one thing to process a bird, and know that that is his fate after he had a good life, it's another to have to do it because someone is sick or injured beyond repair. I got some advice from friends here and went the scissors route this time. I still cried, but it was much better.

Brains is currently in BF's hands, they're watching TV together. I had him in the brooder but he got trampled, then got stuck under the light (too weak to move) and was very hot and close to death when I "rescued" him from the brooder again a few hours ago. We watched some episodes of The Closer together. If it's a girl, I'll name her Brenda Lee. If it's a boy, it's Fritz. That's if it survives. I'm not sure what his fate will be.

This part of the hatch is over for me.

The more you hatch the more you run into horrible things. I've had cross beaks, wry necks, weird toes... and now this.

 

[dsqard]

Ron I did the kitchen shears technique one time. Too traumatic for me but that was before I had butchered any of my birds. I might be able to do it now but I like the ether and a sealed can method. Chick just goes to "sleep" and I don't have to see it. I think it is so hard because they are so small and cute although this kind of decision is usually for the best.

 

[ronott1]

Ron I did the kitchen shears technique one time. Too traumatic for me but that was before I had butchered any of my birds. I might be able to do it now but I like the ether and a sealed can method. Chick just goes to "sleep" and I don't have to see it. I think it is so hard because they are so small and cute although this kind of decision is usually for the best.

Yes, I agree that it is hard. I have only had to do that once with a chick I hatched. Last month I had to cull a hen with cancer--that was hard because she was mine from chick to illness--she was two years old. She was in a lot of pain though. It is never easy.

The chick I culled had organs coming out--not going to make it.

 

[bamachicks8]

Im perfectly happy with my 64 degrees and sunshine

 

[superchemicalgirl]

We have a wee bit of snow here. Oh yeah, and it's STILL SNOWING.


My driveway is here somewhere


The wind has whipped up some really tall snow banks. Keep in mind we had no snow already on the ground when this thing started. That's a coffee can on the ground.


For some more perspective, this is my nubian doe's butt. I convinced her to come out of her house but forgot the cookies so she wasn't very willing to pose next to snow banks.

 

[dsqard]

OMG SCG that reminds me of the blizzard of '78. People still talk about that one. You need some snowpants girl!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

OMG SCG that reminds me of the blizzard of '78. People still talk about that one. You need some snowpants girl!

Yeah, they're comparing this one to '78.

I have a pair of snowpants but they don't fit over top these pants. These are fleece lined LL Bean jeans. I'd rather wear those than regular jeans with ski pants over top. Much more comfy to move around in for short periods of time.

 

[dsqard]

Yes but at least you stay dry with snowpants over your jeans. You get used to the "swishy plastic" sound of snowpants. I only know this from experience